When you think of the words “humidifier” or “dehumidifier”, you likely think of a small, portable machine that you plug in to regulate moisture in your home.
While these products are helpful, they require regular refilling or removal of water, take up space, and work effectively only in one room of the house.
If you want a more consistent way to regulate humidity and improve indoor air quality in your home, consider installing a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier directly to your heating and cooling system. As the names imply, humidifiers add moisture to the air when it is dry, while dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air.
Continue reading to learn why regulating moisture in your home is important, the benefits of whole-home humidity regulation systems, and how to choose the best product for your home.
Humidity Basics
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air at any given time. This measurement changes according to outdoor temperatures, as warm air holds more moisture than cold air.
Although moisture is always fluctuating, humidity levels in your home should stay between 30-50% year-round to maintain healthy indoor air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Your central heating and cooling system helps regulate moisture in your home to a degree, particularly your cooling equipment in the summer if it is regularly maintained. However, if you want to be more proactive about controlling moisture in your home, consider hiring a professional heating and cooling technician to install a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier to your existing system.
Benefits of Humidity Regulation Products
1. They help improve your health.
Humans need some moisture in the air to stay healthy. When the air is too dry, it irritates your nose and throat, dries out your skin, and increases your risk of getting sick. If the air has too much moisture, it causes discomfort and creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew growth that can lead to short- and long-term respiratory issues. Installing a humidity regulation system in your home can help prevent serious illness and alleviate allergy symptoms.
2. They preserve your home.
When moisture levels are too high indoors, you may notice condensation on your windows or wet spots on your floor, walls, or ceiling. These damp conditions are ripe for mold and mildew growth that’s unsightly, unhealthy, and difficult to remove. When the air is dry, it can lead to static electricity that could potentially ruin your electronics. Balanced humidity levels are key to averting costly damage to your home and technology.
3. They optimize comfort.
Lastly, humidifiers and dehumidifiers make you feel more comfortable at home. No one likes to feel “sticky” when humidity is high or “itchy” when it is low. By creating an environment where moisture is “just right,” you will have overall better quality of life.
How to Choose the Best Product for Your Home
If you’re ready to tackle inconsistent humidity levels in your abode, the next step is to determine which whole-home product to install: humidifier, dehumidifier, or both? The best type of product will depend on the climate where you live, the time of year, your personal preference, and the average amount of moisture in your home. Higher-than-average humidity levels will require a dehumidifier, while dry conditions call for a humidifier.
To find the percentage of humidity in your home, you can check your thermostat if you have a model that provides this information, or you can pick up a hygrometer for around $20 at a hardware store.
In the Red River Valley and the surrounding region, we experience all four seasons, which means we deal with both sides of the humidity spectrum. For this reason, we typically recommend installing a whole-home humidifier to turn on during cold months and a dehumidifier for summertime.
To make the most informed decision, schedule a consultation with a professional heating and cooling technician. Our expert team at Bears Home Solutions is happy to help determine which product will best suit your needs and install it whenever you are ready to proceed.
To learn more about our whole-home humidifiers, dehumidifiers, or other indoor air quality products, contact us today or book an appointment.
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